Modern living is having a negative effect on our cardiac health.
The issue of heart health is serious, but for those who are careful about what they eat and get exercise, those matters typically been less of a concern.
New Research
The MRC Clinical Services Centre at Imperial College London suggests athletic adults may be at risk of a heart disease diagnosis.
In a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, researchers found those engaging in physical activity, and put demands on the body, may have a bigger heart.
An enlarged heart is non-fatal but can display symptoms similar to a heart attack.
The Findings
One thousand people were examined on their physical activity over 12 months.
They were asked to choose from one of four categories to determine how many hours of exercise they did every week.
Findings showed one third of participants reported 3-5 hours of exercise per week.
1 in 5 of these individuals developed an enlarged heart as a result.
Nearly half of those who reported completing more than 5 hours of exercise per week showed heart changes.
The Implications
“It’s well known that the hearts of endurance athletes adapt in response to exercise, ‘athlete’s heart.’
This study is the first to show that healthy adults who exercise regularly may develop enlarged hearts.
As a result, there’s risk that some adults could be misdiagnosed with heart disease,” says lead scientists Declan O’Regan.
“Going to the gym increases the thickness of the heart muscle and the volume of heart chambers.
This is particularly true for the right ventricle.
It’s a completely normal, healthy response.
It shouldn’t be misdiagnosed as being heart disease,” he adds.
The researchers conclude doctors should take into account weekly physical activity before diagnosing heart complaints.
David L. Edwards is an author, Chinese medicine physician and acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine. David is the director of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.
If you got value from this article, share it with your friends on Facebook by clicking the share button so they too get access to this important information.
Leave a Reply